The Park Scholarships Program is an undergraduate scholarship program in the United States. The mission of the program is "to bring exceptional students to North Carolina State University based on outstanding accomplishments and potential in scholarship, leadership, service, and character." The program aims to develop Park Scholars in these four tenets with the goal being preparing for lifelong contributions to the campus, state, nation, and world. The Park Scholarships are named for the late Roy H. Park ’31, an NC State alumnus who endowed the Park Foundation, dedicated to education, media, and the environment. With a grant from the Park Foundation, the Park Scholarships program was established in 1996 "to provide a superb educational opportunity for exceptionally talented and well-prepared young men and women who merit the intellectual challenge of a distinguished faculty and a superior university." Approximately 35 scholarships are awarded each year to high school seniors for undergraduate study in any discipline at NC State.
History
Scholarship Provisions
Benefits
The following are the benefits offered by the Park Scholarships program to recipients, according to its website:
Four-year scholarship valued at $111,000 in-state and $205,000 out-of-state, including tuition and fees, room and board, books and supplies, travel, and personal expenses
Computer stipend
Grants to fund professional and personal enrichment experiences, such as research projects, service activities, and conferences in the United States and abroad
Park Scholars are offered the following personal and professional development:
Mentoring: Park Faculty Mentors work individually with Park Scholars on preparation for undergraduate research, internships, graduate/professional schools, and national scholarships
First-Year Seminar: Weekly seminar during the first year featuring distinguished guests, including former North Carolina GovernorJames Hunt and outstanding NC State faculty
Retreats: Leadership retreats held at sites such as Grand Canyon and Rocky Mountain National Parks
Learning Labs: Experiential learning opportunities to study leadership in the context of state and national issues
Leadership Academy: A half-day institute featuring speakers and activities to enhance leadership abilities, self-awareness, and character
Civic Engagement Initiatives: Projects with community agencies to develop strategies and implement solutions for issues such as homelessness and domestic violence
